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Welcome Back Tour

Welcome Back Tour
Tour by 2NE1
Asian tour logo
LocationAsia
Start dateOctober 4, 2024
End dateApril 13, 2025
No. of shows27
Websiteyg-2ne1.com/welcomeback
2NE1 concert chronology

The Welcome Back Tour is the ongoing fourth concert tour by South Korean girl group 2NE1. Held in commemoration of the group's 15th anniversary, it is the quartet's first headlining concert tour since the All or Nothing World Tour (2014). The Welcome Back Tour commenced in Seoul on October 4, 2024, and currently spans twenty-seven shows across Asia.

Background

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On July 22, 2024, YG Entertainment officially announced the reunion of 2NE1 for their 15th debut anniversary, after having been disbanded for eight years since November 2016.[1] It was announced that the group would embark on a world tour beginning in South Korea in October 2024, with shows slated to be scheduled in other regions within 2025,[2] in response to the requests received from across the globe.[3]

Three days later, it was unveiled that the tour would kick off at the Olympic Hall in Seoul, the venue which 2NE1 performed at for their first concert tour Nolza in August 2011.[4] Fans expressed discontent regarding the venue's capacity after the announcements were made;[5] in response, YG Entertainment issued a statement explaining that all larger venues in Seoul had "already been booked".[6] It was announced the following day that 2NE1's Japanese fanclub, Blackjack Nolza, would be re-opened in early August.[7][8]

On September 6, 2024, concert dates in Manila and Jakarta were announced,[9][10] followed by Hong Kong and Singapore four days later,[11] and Bangkok and Taipei on September 13.[12] Dates in Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Macao were announced on November 6.[13] On January 6, 2025, encore concerts in Seoul at the KSPO Dome were announced for April 12 and 13, 2025.[14]

Production

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2NE1 performing "Can't Nobody" in Manila

2NE1 aimed to capture the essence of their classic sound during the Welcome Back Tour by performing their songs in their original form. The group's leader, CL, expressed that this was in contrast to their previous tours, where they often presented rearranged versions of their songs or featured reworked choreography.[15] Furthermore, the quartet actively crafted the concert's experience through their involvement in all of its aspects during its preparation, spanning from the setlist, stage design, choreography, and costumes, amidst others.[16]

Ticketing

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In Singapore, ticket sales for the quartet and Hong Kong singer Andy Lau's concerts, sufficed a loss of $66,000 within a period of two weeks due to scams over fake concert tickets. It resulted in a minimum of 92 reported police cases where the victims completed transactions through third party platforms in early October.[17] The police advised the public to utilize the "Scam Shield" app, and to purchase tickets from authorized sellers and legitimate ticket marketplaces.[17]

Commercial performance

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General sale

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Demand for the Seoul concerts resulted in over 400,000 people vying for tickets accommodating 3,000 to 4,000 seats at the venue,[18][19] thereby crashing the server.[20] An additional concert was added for October 4,[21] alongside the release of additional restricted-view seats for all three dates.[22] All four initial shows in Japan were sold out within a day, therefore two additional shows were added.[23] Over 100,000 users queued for tickets for the Jakarta show and over 200,000 users queued for the Singapore show, resulting in both shows selling out.[24][25] A second performance was added in both cities.[26]

The virtual queue for the general sale of tickets for the Manila concerts recorded over 200,000 users on the first day and 350,000 users on the second day, resulting in both dates selling out immediately.[27][28] On October 11, YG Entertainment announced that all shows for the Japanese leg were sold out.[29] Shortly after the presale for the Taiwan show on October 15, an additional performance was added.[30] It was reported that all 18,000 tickets in Taiwan were sold out in 90 seconds.[31] In Macao, over 300,000 users were recorded trying to buy tickets, and all tickets were sold out.

Their Seoul concerts was attended by numerous K-pop artists including NewJeans, Winner, G-Dragon, Daesung, Blackpink's Jennie, Aespa's Winter, BoyNextDoor, Kang Daniel, members of Stray Kids, iKon, and The Boyz, Jung Yong-hwa, and Shinee's Key; actors such as Ross Butler, Rowoon, Lee Joon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Lomon; veteran singers such as Uhm Jung-hwa, and Yoon Do-hyun; and entertainers such as Noh Hong-chul and Jun Hyun-moo, among others.[32][33]

Critical reception

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The tour received rave reviews from critics in music and entertainment, who praised the spectacle of the show. Beginning in Seoul, Yoon Seo-yeon writing for Korea JoongAng Daily called the concert as a "true definition of what K-pop is and what it should be".[34] Pyo Kyung-min writing for The Korea Times cited the show reaffirmed the quartet's "legendary status in the music scene".[35] Hong Yoo writing for The Korea Herald wrote their choreography was vigorous and demanded much more energy than the routines of some of today's K-pop girl groups.[36]

In Manila, Russell Ku writing for Rappler described how stunned he was at how an arena could be packed from front to back with fans, young and old, and felt the show was different from the other concerts he had gone to after witnessing the crowd already jumping, resulting in the arena to feel as though it were "shaking".[37] Allan Policarpio writing for Philippine Daily Inquirer narrated them as a group who "never looks too calculated or preoccupied with what they have to do next", elaborating how their "instincts guide the way they work their numbers, and make sure to always leave room for spontaneous interactions with each other, or with the crowd".[38] In Singapore, Ang Benson from The Straits Times remarked that although a decade has passed since 2NE1 last performed, "their infectious energy and their fans’ fiery passion have not abated".[39] Belinda Poh of HallyuSG praised the group's vocals, charisma, and stage presence, and likened the show to a "love letter to their fans".[40]

Impact

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In the Philippines, former senator Francis Pangilinan called for political action and the introduction of a legislation to address ticket scalping in response to the Welcome Back Tour in Manila.[41][42] In December 2024, the Anti-Ticket Scalping Act was filed in the Filipino senate, which aims to regulate the purchase of tickets to "protect consumers from exploitation and guarantee fair access to events".[43][44]

Set list

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This set list represents the show on October 6, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea. It does not represent all dates.[45]

Main set

  1. "Intro" (contains elements of "Come Back Home")
  2. "Fire"
  3. "Clap Your Hands"
  4. "Can't Nobody"
  5. "Do You Love Me"
  6. "Falling in Love"
  7. "I Don't Care"
  8. "The Baddest Female" (CL solo, shortened with extended intro)
  9. "MTBD (CL solo)" (shortened)
  10. "Missing You"
  11. "It Hurts (Slow)"
  12. "If I Were You"
  13. "Lonely"
  14. "I Love You"
  15. "Ugly"
  16. "Gotta Be You"
  17. "Come Back Home"
  18. "I Am the Best"
  19. "Go Away"

Encore

  2. "Happy"
  3. "In the Club"
  4. "Crush" / "I Don't Care" (reprise) / "Ugly" (reprise) / "Go Away" (reprise) / "Can't Nobody" (reprise)

Double encore

  2. "Let's Go Party"
  3. "Stay Together"
  4. "I Am the Best"

Notes

Tour dates

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Key
† Indicates performances streamed simultaneously in cinemas
List of concert dates
Date City Country Venue Guest(s) Attendance
October 4, 2024 Seoul South Korea Olympic Hall — 12,000[33]
October 5, 2024 Babymonster
October 6, 2024
November 16, 2024 Manila Philippines SM Mall of Asia Arena — —
November 17, 2024
November 22, 2024 Jakarta Indonesia Beach City International Stadium — —
November 23, 2024
November 29, 2024 Kobe Japan World Memorial Hall — —
November 30, 2024
December 1, 2024
December 8, 2024 Hong Kong China AsiaWorld–Arena — —
December 13, 2024 Tokyo Japan Ariake Arena Babymonster —
December 14, 2024 —
December 15, 2024 †
December 21, 2024 Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium — 17,000[39]
December 22, 2024
January 25, 2025 Pak Kret[A] Thailand Impact Exhibition Hall 5–6 — —
January 26, 2025
February 1, 2025 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia National Hockey Stadium — —
February 8, 2025 Taoyuan Taiwan NTSU Arena — —
February 9, 2025
February 15, 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center — —
February 16, 2025
February 22, 2025 Macau China Venetian Arena — —
February 23, 2025
April 12, 2025 Seoul South Korea KSPO Dome — —
April 13, 2025
Total N/A

Notes

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  1. ^ Promoted as Bangkok

References

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  1. ^ Aniftos, Rania (July 22, 2024). "2NE1 Is Reuniting With a World Tour". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Ziwei, Puah (July 25, 2024). "2NE1 announce kick-off dates for 2024 to 2025 comeback world tour". NME. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Yoon, Sang Geun; Lee, So-yun (September 6, 2024). "2024-25 2NE1 Asia Tour [Welcome Back] Announcement #1". Star News. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (July 27, 2024). "Sandara Park sheds tears about 2NE1's comeback: 'It still feels like a dream'". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "2NE1's Comeback Concert Sells Out in Minutes, Fans Left Frustrated!". TV Report. August 7, 2024. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024 – via Gangnam Times.
  6. ^ "2NE1 celebrates 15th anniversary with 'Welcome Back' concert in Seoul". OSEN. The Chosun Daily. July 25, 2024. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  7. ^ デビュー15周年の2NE1、兵庫＆東京で計4公演の復活コンサート「WELCOME BACK」開催 [2NE1 Celebrates 15th Debut Anniversary with the Four Day Concert "Welcome Back" in Hyōgo and Tokyo]. Natalie. July 26, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "2NE1 Japan 15th Anniversary Website" (in Japanese). 2NE1 Japan. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (September 6, 2024). "2NE1 To Perform In Manila This November For Their 'Welcome Back' Asia Tour". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (October 11, 2024). "2NE1 adds 2nd day to 'Welcome Back' in Manila". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Tan, Derrick (September 11, 2024). "2NE1 to stage 2024 comeback concert in Singapore: Here are all the details". Prestige. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "Bangkok and Taipei revealed as last two dates for 2NE1 Welcome Back 2024-25 Asia Tour, joining Singapore, Jakarta, Manila and Hong Kong". Malay Mail. September 15, 2024. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  13. ^ Wong, Benjamin (November 20, 2024). "Everything We Know About 2NE1's 2025 Reunion Concert In KL". August Man. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  14. ^ Lee, Tae-soo (January 6, 2025). 투애니원, 서울 KSPO돔서 15주년 투어 앙코르 공연 [2NE1, 15th Anniversary Tour Encore Performance at Seoul KSPO Dome]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2025 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Baek, Ji-eun (November 3, 2024). "2NE1 Kicks Off 'Welcome Back' Anniversary Concerts in Seoul Tomorrow". Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  16. ^ Lee, Seung-hun; Lee, So-yun (October 4, 2024). "2024 2NE1 Concert [Welcome Back] In Seoul is Coming". Star News. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Sim, Sherlyn (October 18, 2024). "$66k lost in about 2 weeks to concert ticket scams; Andy Lau and 2NE1 fans among victims". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  18. ^ Mo, Shin-jung (August 6, 2024). "2NE1 15th Anniversary Seoul Concert Sells Out Instantly with 400,000 Fans in Queue". Hankooki. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Kim, Young-nam (July 31, 2024). "Iconic K-pop group 2NE1 celebrates 15 years with reunion concert tour starting in Seoul". The Korea Daily. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  20. ^ Park, Ji-hye (August 5, 2024). 투애니원 단독 콘서트, 대기인원만 '40만명' 몰려 [400,000 people waiting for 2NE1's solo concert]. Geumgang Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Mun, Wan-sik; Lee, So-yun (August 23, 2024). "2NE1 Sells Out Additional Seoul Concert Date, Proving Their Unstoppable Ticket Power". Star News. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Lee, Seung-hun; Lee, So-yun (August 28, 2024). "2NE1 Opens Limited-View Seats". Star News. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "2NE1 marks grand comeback with sold-out anniversary concerts". OSEN. The Chosun Daily. September 2, 2024. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  24. ^ "Laris Manis! Tiket Konser 2NE1 'Welcome Back' di Jakarta Ludes Dalam Sekejap" [Hot Selling! 2NE1's 'Welcome Back' Concert Tickets in Jakarta Sold Out in an Instant]. BintangTamu (in Indonesian). October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  25. ^ Tan, Avier (October 14, 2024). "With 200k fans in queue, 2NE1 adds second show in Singapore on 22 Dec for Welcome Back tour". HallyuSG. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  26. ^ 추가 공연 안내 및 티켓 상세 공지: 2024-25 2NE1 Asia Tour [Welcome Back] in Jakarta [Additional Performance Information and Ticket Details Announcement: 2024-25 2NE1 Asia Tour [Welcome Back] in Jakarta] (in Korean). YG Family. October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  27. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 11, 2024). "All tickets to 2NE1's Manila concert sold out". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  28. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 13, 2024). "2NE1's 2-day concert in Manila sold out". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  29. ^ デビュー15周年を迎え再始動を発表した韓国のガールズグループ2NE1、11月から開催のJapan Tour全公演完売！ [2NE1, the Korean girl group that announced their comeback in celebration of their 15th anniversary since their debut, has sold out all of their shows on their Japan Tour starting in November!]. Avex Portal (in Japanese). October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  30. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  31. ^ "2NE1演唱會18000張門票90秒賣光光！歌迷點進去傻了：根本買不到 | 日韓 | 娛樂" [All 18,000 tickets for 2NE1’s concert were sold out in 90 seconds! Fans clicked in and were dumbfounded: they couldn’t buy it at all]. NOWnews (in Chinese). October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  32. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 6, 2024). "2NE1 finishes three-day concert in Seoul attended by celebrities, fans". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Ko, Seung-hee (October 6, 2024). “마침내 우리가 돌아왔다”…2NE1, K-팝 기강 잡으러 온 원조 여제들 [고승희의 리와인드] ['We’re finally back'… 2NE1, the original queens who came to establish the K-pop standard [Ko Seung-hee's Rewind]]. Herald Economy (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2024 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Yoon, Seo-yeon (October 7, 2024). "2NE1's long-awaited 'Welcome Back' concert gives fans nostalgia overload". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  35. ^ Pyo, Kyung-min (October 7, 2024). "Review, 2NE1 reunites after decade, proves enduring K-pop legend status". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  36. ^ Yoo, Hong (October 7, 2024). "[Herald Review] 2NE1 returns better than ever". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  37. ^ Ku, Russell (November 20, 2024). "2NE1 shows how K-pop becomes a 'second home' in 'Welcome Back' concert". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  38. ^ Policarpio, Allan (November 20, 2024). "Tears, laughter mark 2NE1's reunion show in 'second home'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  39. ^ a b Benson, Ang (December 22, 2024). "Concert review: 2NE1 perform All I Want For Christmas Is You at comeback concert". The Straits Times. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  40. ^ Poh, Belinda (December 22, 2024). "Show Review: 2NE1's Welcome Back tour is a love letter to fans". HallyuSG. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  41. ^ Brasor, Phil (November 8, 2024). "Asia News: Philippines Ticket Gouging Probe Floated; Russian Pianist Pulls Out Of Hong Kong; Twice Opening For Coldplay". Pollstar News. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  42. ^ "2NE1 concert prompts call to probe scalpers". ABS-CBN News. October 21, 2024. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  43. ^ Guison, Duey (December 10, 2024). "A Senator Files a Bill to Penalize Ticket Scalping". Unbox. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  44. ^ Santos, Tina G. (December 12, 2024). "Senate bill seeks to crack down on ticket scalpers". Inquirer. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  45. ^ Kim, Na-yeon (October 6, 2024). “또 놀자”..모두가 기다린 2NE1 완전체, 10년 공백 깨부순 ‘레전드의 귀환’[Oh!쎈 현장](종합) ['Let’s play again'.. The full 2NE1 that everyone has been waiting for, the 'return of the legend' that broke the 10-year hiatus [Oh! Sen site] (comprehensive)]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2024 – via Naver.
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